review for Show Business on AllMovie

Like so very many other musical films of the "Golden Age," Show Business is a backstager that really exists solely for its musical numbers. Oh yes, the writers took the trouble to slap together a screenplay, but there's no point in pretending that it does anything except set up songs and gags. The love stories are unconvincing and the characters are not developed; the only thing about the screenplay that holds any interest is its fondness for the history of vaudeville. While it never really paints an accurate portrait of vaudeville, it at least provides a rosy glow of nostalgia in this area that is appealing. Fortunately, there are quite a few musical numbers to provide diversion, and even more fortunately, Eddie Cantor is on had for a good many of them, as well as to keep thing lively and to make sure that the gags land the way they are supposed to land. Cantor is perhaps an acquired taste, but he's an undeniably distinctive presence and can be quite engaging. He's very well matched by comedienne Joan Davis, who clearly knows how to tune in to Cantor's wavelength. The "B team" consists of George Murphy, who performs well but is rather bland, and {$Constance Moore{, who is attractive but out of he element here.